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BRACEVILLE -- Township trustees and fire officials have reached out to neighboring communities as they look at ways to better serve residents with emergency medical service.
Trustees at a special meeting Tuesday said there has been a problem finding people for all shifts on the fire department, especially day turn, so they are looking at different options, including more mutual aid from neighboring departments.
Trustee Chairwoman Rebecca Rood said the goal is to best serve the residents by providing faster emergency medical service. She said many communities have found it challenging to get EMS personnel because most departments are only staffed part time.
"We are looking to see what other help we might be able to get through mutual aid or a joint fire district," she said.
She said talks have been held with Windham officials in neighboring Portage County and they also plan to meet with Warren Township officials. The township has mutual aid agreements in place with Newton Falls and Warren Township fire departments.
Fire Chief Todd Garland said some communities have a private ambulance company available and he has met with some. He said 80 percent of Braceville's fire calls are for township residents.
Trustee Dennis Kuchta said the firefighters and EMTs all have other jobs and can't always work another part-time job. He said 30 years ago, it was easier to find people to work all shifts.
Interviews are underway for fire department personnel.
Garland said the fire department is short staffed and he and assistant fire chief Ross McCartney handle the EMS coordinator duties, which include fire and EMS reports, payroll, checks on certification of staff, state fire reports and billing. He said it has become challenging for them to handle all the duties.
In other business, trustees will have a large trash receptacle placed at the gravel yard this week to help residents who lost power and had flooding in basements earlier this week. Kuchta said people may have carpeting, rugs, furniture and other items they need to get rid of because of water damage.
Officials said 4,700 people were without power Sunday and Monday, mainly in the Eagle Creek area and they had major flooding issues.
"We want to do something to show the residents we care and want to help them," Kuchta said.
In other action, trustees:
l Heard from Garland a $4,100 Federal Emergency Management Agency grant will be used to get two dual-band portable radios through Cross Radio. Braceville will be the first local department to use the new radios;
l Hired James Shirila as an unpaid reserve patrolman.
bcoupland@tribtoday.com